The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-03-16

stone, Parnell Davitt, Egan and numerous
others. The story of Irish oppression is one
that interests every friend of liberty and
justice throughout the civilized world, and
Is to-day agitating the British empire to q
degree rarely paralleled in its history. II
treats of mighty struggle. The book opens
with chapter by President Burns of Wes-
leyan College, Hamilton, Ontario, in which
he gives a vivid picture of domestic life
among the Irish peasants, showing the cause
of their poverty and wretchedness. He de-
scribes the LAND Laws" and Coercion
Laws" the cruel evictions and agrarian
crimes they have begotten, etc. DR.. Thomp-
son gives the history of the important part
taken by friends of Ireland in the United
States and Canada in the great struggle, the
action of the secret organizations, the " Land
League" and the National League" in
helping on the cause of Ireland. X. M.
McWade has given the thrilling history of
Americas part in this agitation, and Hon.
L. =. O'Connor, MP, writes of Ireland's
own part in this contest. The striking IL
Illustrations greatly enhance the value of this
timely work, which is given to the public
by the enterprising publishers in excellent
autobiography paper, illustrations and
binding all in keeping with its literary and
historical merits.
RRAzIL its Conditions and Prospects, by
Christopher G.. Andrews, late minister at
Stockholm New York: ID. Appleton Il
Co. This book is an attempt briefly " to an
swer such questions as an intelligent AmeTi-
can would be likely to ask in regard to
Brazil" In short, direct statements the
author gives a clear idea of everyday life in
Brazil as it passed under his eye while act
ing as our consul-general there, and of his
understanding of the POLITICAL social and
financial conditions which exist in that
country. The descriptions of country and
people are very interesting. In respect to
industrial improvements and its rural life
Brazil is about half century behind the
United States, and far inferior to Uruguay
and the Argentine Republic. The climate
is much more agreeable than we have been
accustomed to think, being rather cool than
hot. The language of Brazil is that of its
European conquerors, and its literature is
marked by the characteristics of the Portu-
nary fertility, although most of it is about
as good as that of the United States; hut
there are great tracts of Campo-land that
will produce only rank grass, and vast sandy
plains bearing only occasional scrub cork
trees. The gorgeous tropical flora described
by travellers is found only in the river bot
toms. The people are shiftless and indo-
lent, preferring the danger of famine to the
industry necessary to avoid it. The en-
peror, Dom Pedro H., is an amiable and in
telligent man, who accepts his situation as a
modern constitutional sovereign, and gives
his attention to advancing the interests of
science, literature and philanthropy. In his
efforts he is aided by his wife, daughter and
son-in-law, so that the whole family has
Slavery and Emancipation " throws new
light on the little understood legislation by
which Brazil has been preparing the way,
though slowly, for emancipation. The chap
ter on " American Brazilian Relations con-
tains information of practical value.